Pontbrenmydyr, near Aberaeron
Heating and hot water come from a pellet boiler and solar panels, but the interior is otherwise romantically unadulterated.
• 0844 800 2070, nationaltrustcott-ages.co.uk, from £357 a week

Nanternis Cottage, near New Quay
Go dolphin spotting, tuck into freshly-caught mackerel at The Ship Inn, in nearby Llangrannog, or walk to the "secret" beach, half an hour from the cottage.
• 01873 890190, coastalwalesholi-daycottages.co.uk, from £485 a week

Cuddfan, near Dihewyd Its name means hiding place, and this barn conversion for two outside Aberaeron is just that. Stone walls, wooden floors and white woodwork are made cosy with a woodburning stove and ground-source heat pump …

Lleine Price, Mwnt
This three-bedroom whitewashed cottage sleeping six may be picture-perfect but the real selling point is its location. Surrounded by cow parsley-fringed hedgerows and rolling fields five minutes' drive from Cardigan, it's close to Mwnt with its beach and tiny clifftop church …